Gotta be flexible!

Well, if you read yesterday’s blog you’ll know that we were at a pretty severe food deficit starting today. We also knew that we had a 2700 foot climb starting at Mile zero today. What we didn’t know is that on the way to the maximum elevation change, there would be almost 7000 feet of climbing, and almost 2 miles of snow to hike through.

After pushing pretty hard for the first four hours, averaging only about 4mph (recall we’re riding 50lb+ bikes) we finally made it near the top, and that’s when the snow started. That 2 miles of snow took us almost another hour to hike through. So if you do the math we are now about five hours into the ride working on one can of chicken noodle soup and some saltine crackers. You can guess that this might not turn out too well!

Luckily, Ray’s friend Dave had made each of us a dehydrated meal as a back-up plan, thanks Dave! We sat near the top of the climb and ate lunch, while fighting off severe cramps, in spite of having consumed almost 7 liters of water in a little over 6 hours. Unfortunately, we were out of electrolytes.

Not long after the slow hike/bike down, things started going fast and well! Unfortunately, due to a nasty trail, and some operator error (me), I got my front headlight snapped off by a snag and Ray cut a sidewall. Neither was a huge mechanical, but coupled with the lack of food, wet gear and tents from the previous day/night, we decided to modify our plan and get lodging in Seely Lake, MT

While walking to our room, a microburst hit and snapped a tree off and it came crashing down 20’ from our place and bikes. No harm no foul.

Some days you have to be flexible and live to ride another day That day is tomorrow!

Thanks for riding along!!

We’re Southbound and Down!

Shane and Ray